Get a grasp on how to properly hold a wine glass
QUESTION: Is there a proper way to hold a wine glass? Since there are wine glasses without stems now, should they be held at the bottom of the glass?
CALLIE’S ANSWER: The key here is really just making sure your wine doesn't get hot. Holding it at the bottom of the glass would not be the ideal way to hold it. Try holding it by your fingers and not your palm.
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: You'll see a lot of advice about holding a wine glass so that you don't warm a chilled wine or so that you don't get fingerprints on the bowl part of a pretty crystal stemmed wine glass. All of the advice makes practical sense, and you can apply it easily. For wine glasses without stems, I would hold a wine glass gently (as opposed to gripping it hard), with fingers closer to the top or at least above the wine level to keep from warming it too much. But any way you drink wine, you're not likely to offend people etiquette-wise the way you hold a glass.
HELEN’S ANSWER: Taste and temperature are important for wine drinking and for that chilled white wine, hold the wineglass by the stem so that it stays cool. Red wine drinkers can hold a glass at the base. The stemless glasses can be held like regular drinking glasses. Since people use various kinds of wine glasses, remember you can always check out the host's method of holding the glass for guidance.
GUEST’S ANSWER: Christina Nihira, community volunteer: The answer is yes. The reason goes beyond simple etiquette.
The website Winefolly.com states it's best “to grip the base of the wine glass with the stem between your thumb and forefinger.” Don't wrap your hand around the “bulb.” The rationale is that the heat from your hand raises the wine's temperature which can change its aroma and taste.
Furthermore, it prevents greasy fingerprints and smudges on the glass (remember, you want to appear sophisticated and polished). Avoid gripping too tightly as excessive pressure can cause the glass to crack or shatter. The result is the wine remains cooler longer and you have a better grasp. Luckily, this advice applies to glasses with or without a stem. Crack open that bottle and enjoy that next glass of vino!
Since 2009, Callie, Lillie-Beth and Helen have written this generational etiquette column. They also include guest responses from a wide range of ages each week. So many years later, Callie is 20-plus; LillieBeth is 40-plus and Helen is 60-plus. To ask an etiquette question, email helen.wallace@cox.net.